About us

Heather landscape

© Jon Hawkins

About Surrey Wildlife Trust

About us

Surrey Wildlife Trust is a wildlife charity and is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK.

With the invaluable support of volunteers and members we care for over 5,000ha of land for wildlife in Surrey. We also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live.

Our mission

Surrey Wildlife Trust's work inspiring people to love nature has never been more important. If we are to protect nature in the future we have to put people at the heart of it.
Sir David Attenborough
Sarah Jane Chimbwandira CEO, Surrey Wildlife Trust

A message from our CEO

Surrey Wildlife Trust has a very clear mission: to increase the diversity and abundance of native wildlife across our county.  As the only organisation with a county-wide focus on that goal, we are working with a huge range of businesses, public bodies, community groups and individuals to make it happen.  

We believe that the nature and climate crisis presents us all with grave threats. But it also presents an opportunity for us to do things better.  From restoring and connecting our precious heathland, wetland and woodland habitats for wildlife and people to enjoy, to reducing pollution from industry and agriculture, to getting more schools involved in learning about nature, to creating more green spaces in our towns and cities, taking better care of our natural world will improve life for everyone. 

Put very simply, we are a group of people who get things done for nature, and we’d like you to join us.  There’s plenty of information about how you can work with us as a volunteer, donate to our campaigns, manage your land more effectively for nature, send a message to your elected representatives or become a business partner on these pages.  I hope you will enjoy finding out more about Surrey’s wildlife and how you can help. 

Thank you

Sarah Jane Chimbwandira
Chief Executive Officer

Surrey Naturalists Trust Sign

Surrey Naturalists' Trust Logo c. 1965

Our history

The Surrey Naturalists' Trust was formed on 21st March 1959. Over 60 years later our name may have changed, but the motivation that inspired our founders remains the same.

Over the years the number of reserves cared for by the Trust has grown steadily thanks to generous gifts of land and the purchase of sites from fundraising. In 2002 the Trust also took on Surrey County Council's considerable countryside estate and now employs over 100 members of staff to care for the countryside and inspire others to do the same - a far cry from our humble beginnings.

More about our history

How we're run

A group of elected Trustees oversee the governance and strategic leadership of the organisation. Our Trustees are members of the Trust and give their experience and expertise for free.

More about our governance

How we're funded

Surrey Wildlife Trust is a charity, and as such we rely on the support of membership subscriptions, donations, grants, legacies and other funding sources to allow us to carry out our work caring for wildlife in Surrey. 

Support us

How we raise funds & spend money

Surrey Wildlife Trust financial summary 2022

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